Hi community :)
I'm thinking to apply to Economics PhDs Specializing in Macro / Monetary Economics and maybe Environmental Economics to start in the fall of 2022. However, I don't know if my profile is strong enough to get into a good program - let me know what you think !
Interdisciplinary bachelor's degree with a major in economics. 7.5/10 Dutch GPA (the grading conversion is quite weird, it's about a B) and 216/180 ECTS (lots of extra politics courses).
MSc Economics, specializing in Macro & Monetary, 8/10 Dutch GPA (~ A-).
Grades in general 8 or higher, except for Econometrics (7), Microeconomics(6.5).
Good thesis, 8.5.
MSc BGSE, not Economics, content-wise mostly applied Econometrics, 8.4/10 GPA (conversion is also weird here, think it's about an B+/A-).
I believe my LORs are pretty strong: My thesis advisor (leading monetary operations at a Central Bank), a well-ranked Econometrics professor (several papers with Gali, Gertler), and could get some more probably from my future bosses.
GRE: in September
Work (in 2021/ spring 2022) : Trainee at the ECB in Forecasting and Policy Modelling, RA for high-ranked Finance professor
I'm worried about
a) a lack of math and microeconomics classes - I only have one foundational math class in undergrad (7 Dutch grading) and two foundational Microeconomics classes (graded 6.5 and 7.5)
- For math, is this something I can make up with the GRE score ?
- Should I try to take additional classes somewhere
b) not having an Economics undergrad (hence the missing math and micro classes)
- Is this something I should ask LOR writers to highlight
- Can it be positive or are school risk-averse?
Let me know what you think - I guess it's an unusual profile so any feedback will be massively helpful.